The Catskill gallery has different artists’ renditions of musical instruments made from conventional and unconventional materials. I especially liked the piece that used compressed air cans to power a wooden pipe instrument, it’s a perfect tool for making a slapstick cartoon soundtrack.

Some pieces are strictly for viewing, but several allow hands-on exploration and noise-making.

Our crew of tweens pushed the hands-on instruments up to (and beyond) the limits of human tolerance. It’s not rock and roll until someone tells you to turn it down!

The festival goes through July 2nd, with different activities including a performance in three acts this Sunday, June 4th from 2pm-4pm at the Catskill Community Movie Theatre at 373 Main Street.

On Sunday, June 19th, Brik Gallery at 473 Main Street hosts a lecture and performance by Bing Bang Boing exhibit curator, Ken Butler (performing in a duet with Bradford Reed on the Pencilina).

The final performance, by exhibiting artists on July 2nd, will be at the Historic Catskill Point Warehouse from 11am-4pm. There will be food and craft vendors, and along with a children’s craft area where kids can create their own drums and trumpets. I’m planning on a bring-my-own-earplugs approach since I expect my kids to really get into playing their own creations!

Gina Martin | lives in Coxsackie NY with her husband, their two children, and an assortment of Rottweilers and cats. Gina has been a homeschooling parent since 2003, and is also proud parent of a Tech Valley High School student. Gina is the creator of ModSchooler, her blog about 21st -century learning and fun, and is a contributor to From Scratch Club writing on food and food policy. As lifelong learners, Gina and her tween and teen kids like to go off the beaten path to explore quirky travel destinations, unusual cuisine, and all things geeky. Email: GinaMartin@AlbanyKid.com, twitter: @GinaMartinBlogs

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